Schools Basic Education FAQ’s

Schools Basic Education FAQ’s

Based on the Statement by the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga at the Inter-Ministerial Media Briefing on the Covid-19

16 March 2020

When are schools closing?

In accordance with the pronouncement by the President on 15 March 2020, schools will be closed from 18 March 2020.

Schools should resume on 14 April 2020; unless determined differently. Should this be the case communication will be sent to parents.

How will lost school days be made up?

We are going to lose 10 school days as a result of the school closures.

To compensate for lost days the June holidays will be cut short by a week. Once opened schools will be encouraged to extend tuition hours.

Which schools are affected by the President’s directive?

This directive is binding on all schools; public ordinary schools, independent schools and private.

Catch up plan for Curriculum?

A number of steps are being taken to ensure that education is not compromised.

Each province, district, circuit and school must have a practical and comprehensive catch-up plan to be implemented.

Schools have been urged to give learners work they can do at home with the supervision of parents.

Schools are also encouraged to give learners workbooks and worksheets to be used to keep learners active on curriculum based initiatives.

Parents must play their part in the education of their children.

The school enrichment programmes will also be affected by the arrangements. The Department of Basic Education will this week provide guidelines on how the school enrichment programmes are going to be managed because we want to ensure that those in matric in particular are not disadvantaged.